Collapsible core



o. J. KUHLKE 1,704,293

COLLAPSIBLE cons" 4 Sheets-811' eat 1 Filed Nov. 5, 1924 Amman M5, 1929. o. J. KUHLKE COLLAPSIBLE CORE Filed Nov. 5. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE Y.

' o. J. KUHLKE 4 1, 93

GOLLAPSIBLB CORE Filed Nov. 5, 1924 4 Sheets- Sheet 4' INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT it orrrcs:

OTTO J. KUHLKE, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE KUHLKE MACHINE COMPANY,

OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

COLLAPSIBLE cons.

Application filed November 5, 1924. Serial No. 747312. i

This invention relates to collapsible cores for the. manufacture of pneumatic automobile tires in which the core is provided with collapsing mechanism by which the several sections may be contracted so as to permit the removal of the finished tire casing. The object of the present invention is to improve upon prior constructions for this general purpose and to provide a simple, inexpensive and easily operated mechanism for the uses and purposes set forth.

In the drawings is shown one embodiment of the invention, in which;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the core in assembled condition;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the core at the completion oi the first-collapsing operation; I

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1; 1

Figure 4 is a section on the line H of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the corein collapsible position;

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6--6 of Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Figure 1. a

a The present invention is distinguished from prior collapsible cores by the fact that it is comprised of a key section which remains at a fixed distance from the core sup port or shaft and also by reason of the fact that the remaining sections are hinged together so that when collapsed they will form an approximate helix, and that in the collapsed position the key section is rotated about a substantially radial pivot so that it will lie between and parallel to the two hinged sections, the latter being swung upon pivots arranged at an oblique angle to the plane of the core.

In the drawings the core support is provided with a shaft 1 which is mounted on the tire machine or core stand and has its outer end secured within a boss 2 on a central core supporting plate 3 which extends outwardly of the core shaft in one direction and carries at its outer end the key section 4. In the embodiment of the invention here shown, the key section is mounted so that it may be rotated about a substantially radial pivot, so that it will be parallel to the hinged sections when the core is collapsed.

For this purpose, in the resent embodiment of the invention, the he section is formed with a centrally located boss or projection from which isextendjeda radial pin 6 which is i'otatablyseated in a socket 8 on the outerend of the central plate 3. A. groove 9 is formed about the pin 6 and in this groove is receivedthe end of a pin 10 rigid section 14 by angular hinges 16, the

angular position of the hinges being such that when the core is collapsed the three sections form an approximate helix.

The several sections constituting the balance of the core, exclusive of the key section, are carried upon a slide or arm 20 which is secured to the rigidsection 14 by lugs 19 and which is provided with two channels 21 that embrace the edges of the supporting plate 3 so that the hinged sections may be moved as a unit or group to ward or from the center of the core as the first operation in the collapsing ofthe core. In order to move the roup of core sections in the manner descri ed,; one edge of the a supporting plate is formed with a rack 22 and the slide 20 is provided with a pinion 23 which meshes with the rack and may be rotated by a wrench or other suitable mechanism. A spring operated pin or catch 25 may be mounted in the slide 20 and is designed to be received in recesses 26 or 27 formed in the central plate 3 when the group of sections is at its outermost or innermost positions respectively.

In the first operation of collapsing the core, the sections 13, 14 and 15 are moved upwardly as a group or unit into the position shown in Figure 2, thus freeing the tire from the key section. The key section is then rotated about the radial pivot 6 until it stands in aposition so that it intersects the original core plane and will be approximately parallel to the hinged core sections when the latter are collapsed. The sections 13 and 15 are then swung inwardly andthe core is. completely collapsed as shown in Figure 5 whereupon the tiremay be removed from the core.

The free ends of the sections 13 and 15 may he provided with keys 30 and the ends of the key section with corresponding key Ways 31 so that the core sections will be properly aligned. 7

It is obvious that changes and modifies tions may be made in specific embodiments of the invention and within the scope thereof as defined in the claims appended hereto.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. In :L collapsible core construction, a key section and a plurality of sections constituting a group hinged together so as to form an approximate helix in collapsed position, means for moving the group of sections in the plane of the core toward and from the center oil the core, and zt'rudial pivot for the key section.

2. In :1 ci'illa isible core construction, :1 key section and a plurality of sections constitutinge group hinged together so its to form an approximate helix in collapsed position, the group of sections being movable in the plane of the core toward and from the center of the core, and a radial pivot for the key section. V

3. In a collapsible core construction, at plurality of sections which are hinged together, so that the sections will form an epproximate helix when swung inwardly, and a l-cey section which is rotatable so as to occupy at position between the ends of the hinged sections when the core is circular and to lie between and parallel to the hinged sections when the core is col-lapsed.

OTTO J. KUHLKE. 

